Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard

Xonar Essence STX
124 dB SNR / Headphone Amp card for Audiophiles!
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR
- Built-in headphone amp drives every available headphone with <0.001% distortion
- Nichicon "Fine Gold" capacitors offer great dynamic performance
- Perfectly shielded EMI-free analog output path
- Customize your sound color effortlessly via swappable OPAmp socket
Click to expand...

Titter
 
Well what else is audio-nervosa about, Rob, but choosing your preferred colouration?
 
Hi Labarum,

I have had experiance with these cards, and they do offer good performance for the outlay without question. It will surprise you.

Have even upgraded the odd one or two.
 
Labarum said:
Well what else is audio-nervosa about, Rob, but choosing your preferred colouration?
Click to expand...

Yes but it's a sound card. Good op amps cost peanuts and the correct op amp is the one that does the job correctly. You cannot just swap around with no understanding of the circuit in which they operate. The designer ought to use the device that gives the best performance.

Nothing wrong with preferred colouration but do it where you have some real control - use effects software or hardware solutions. You can then apply the 'colouration' you desire at will depending on what you are actually listening to.

This looks to me like a mainstream computer accessory company taking advantage audiophile audio-nervosa.
 
I've listened to an Asus Xonar card at length, and it's pretty impressive.

I think you need to be careful with the PC environment you put it in for best results - ie don't just stick it in your Dell desktop and expect the best.
 
Dave, is this the card that Jason was using in the 'you know what'?

If so, it sounds very good.
 

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